Shiurim in this topic
Ezekiel the Priest (Yechezkel HaKohen) is addressed in the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s correspondence as a respected shochet (ritual slaughterer) and Torah scholar. The letters reflect his involvement in communal religious life and his engagement with advanced Torah study, including both revealed and mystical aspects of the Torah.
The Rebbe’s letters to Ezekiel the Priest address both personal and scholarly matters. In one letter, the Rebbe responds to news about the fourth birthday of Ezekiel’s son, Yisrael HaKohen. Drawing from Midrash Tanchuma, Hilchos Talmud Torah of the Alter Rebbe, and Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, the Rebbe emphasizes the special holiness associated with a child's fourth year and the importance of continuing this sanctity in the child’s education. The Rebbe blesses Ezekiel and his wife to raise their children in health, Torah, marriage, and good deeds.
In another letter, the Rebbe thanks Ezekiel for sharing information regarding the Torah novellae of the late Rabbi Alphandri, and addresses a complex question in Kabbalah. Ezekiel had inquired about apparent contradictions in the mystical teachings regarding the relationship between the lower seven sefirot and the sefirah of malchut as they manifest in the lower worlds. The Rebbe provides a detailed explanation, using the analogy of a teacher and student to clarify how only a limited aspect of the higher level is transmitted to the lower, referencing sources in Etz Chaim and the Tanya. The Rebbe encourages Ezekiel’s continued study of Chassidus, which leads to fulfilling the commandment to “know the G-d of your father and serve Him with a complete heart.”
The Rebbe’s correspondence with Ezekiel the Priest is marked by warmth, encouragement, and scholarly engagement. The Rebbe provides both practical blessings for family life and in-depth responses to advanced Torah questions, reflecting respect for Ezekiel’s dedication to Torah and communal service. The Rebbe also offers practical advice regarding the acquisition of Chabad publications in the Land of Israel, directing him to the appropriate local organization.